Edinburgh: Hundreds of strangers attend funeral of baby with no name

Hundreds of people gathered to mourn the loss of a baby boy with no name and no family.

The abandoned infant's lifeless body was found wrapped in a blanket on a path along a disused railway in the Seafield area of Edinburgh in July 2013. The baby was thought to be only a few weeks old at the time of his death.

His identity remains a mystery, as police have been unable to locate his parents. As a result, the baby was buried without a name.

He was laid to rest at the city's Seafield Cemetery, close to where he was discovered. Following a police appeal, more than 200 mourners gathered to say goodbye to the child, many leaving flowers, toys and balloons, along with heart-felt tributes. One of the message read: "The people of Leith will be your family. RIP"

A piper lead the tearful pallbearers carrying the tiny white coffin of the baby noone knew. As the coffin was lowered into the ground, a lone piper played a sorrowful tune.

Leading the service, Reverend Erica Wishart, of Tranent Parish Church, said: "This is the kind of tragedy that surely touches everyone who hears about it. All of us who gather here today are grieving.

"We represent everyone in this community and beyond who feels deep sadness that this tiny baby is never going to have the chance to grow up and live his life."

She added: "We are here to say goodbye to this wee one, with the dignity and respect he deserves."

Dee Urquhart, who had travelled to Leith from her home in Bonnybridge, said: "It just touched my heart to think this poor baby didn't even have a name. Everybody deserves a name. It just breaks my heart. I told my husband that I wanted to come here as I didn't want the baby to be buried alone, and then I saw hundreds of people here and leaving all the flowers and soft toys. It's nice to see that there are so many caring people out there."

Members of Edinburgh Interfaith Association were also among the crowds, including Galab Singh of the Sikh Furwara, and Victor Spence, representing the different faith communities of the Capital.

Imam Sajjad, of Craigmillar Islamic Centre, said: "We wanted to pay our respects to the baby. It's a great honour for all of us to be here to pay tribute to this innocent soul. It's a good gesture; I think people have a good heart."

A convoy of motorcyclists from the Riders Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland were also among those paying their respects.

A message left at his grave said: "Rest in God's arms, goodnight little baby."

Despite extensive police investigations, DNA tests, and public appeals, the identity of the baby boy and his family has never been found. Officers have said they will continue their investigation and they are "still looking for the vital piece of information which would help identify the child and his mother".

The funeral was arranged by Police Scotland with the help of volunteers.